Magic Carpet Theatre Returns to AADL

Sat, 11/10/2012 - 2:27pm by kidlit

The Magic Carpet Theatre returns to AADL for another performance
highlighting classic children's stories.
See Dr. Seuss' popular Horton Hears a Who! and Verna Aardema's African tale Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain
and others come to life as live performances.
They will be at the Downtown Library on Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. The show will be in the multi-purpose room in the lower level.

Bring the whole family to this special event.

Performance Network: The Glass Menagerie

Tue, 09/18/2012 - 6:48pm by annevm

If you're looking for a dramatic interlude this fall, consider heading to Performance Network, where The Glass Menagerie plays Sept. 27 to Oct. 28. Some consider this play the greatest masterpiece written by American playwright
Tennessee Williams. Tickets are here.

Purple Rose Theatre: Superior Donuts Opens This Week

Mon, 09/17/2012 - 6:38pm by annevm

Purple Rose Theatre in Chelsea will perform the play Superior Donuts Sept. 20 - Dec. 15. The comedy/drama was written by Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts and is directed by Guy Sanville. The PRT website summarizes the plot: "Arthur Przybyszewski has just about given up on everything: a social life, the chance of romance and most of all his family’s long standing Chicago donut shop. But when idealistic dreamer Franco Wicks walks through the door of his vandalized storefront, Arthur realizes through their unlikely friendship that life still has more to offer him." Letts won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play August: Osage County. Ticket information for Superior Donuts is here.

Performance Network: Burn This

Sat, 08/18/2012 - 1:40pm by annevm

Performance Network in Ann Arbor is showing Burn This, by Lanford Wilson through Sept. 3. From PN's website: "This explosive play, set in 1986 Manhattan, captures the recklessness of that decade. Pale, a coke-snorting, Jersey restaurant manager, and Anna, an up and coming choreographer, meet when her roommate Robbie, Pale's brother, dies. As the passions ignite, Pale's intense and troubled personality emerges. Menacing, profane, dangerous and yet oddly sensitive, Pale is both terrifying and fascinating. When Anna retreats into her work, he pursues her relentlessly, setting off an inferno of rage and desire that threatens to consume them both. Contains adult themes." Ticket information is here.

Marvin Hamlisch, award-winning composer extraordinaire, has died

Tue, 08/07/2012 - 10:25am by sernabad

Marvin Hamlisch, who gave us so much wonderful, toe-tapping music, died yesterday in Los Angeles.

Hamlisch composed, arranged, and conducted music for some of the most popular movies and plays to hit the silver screen and Broadway respectively. In 1974, he became the first person to win three Oscars in one night -- Best Score for the Robert Redford / Barbra Streisand hit, The Way We Were; Best Song for The Way We Were from that movie; Best Adaptation (of Scott Joplin's rags) in the Robert Redford / Paul Newman hit, The Sting. That year, his winning song, The Way We Were, also won his second of two Golden Globes.

His music for Chorus Line won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1976.

He also nabbed four Emmys, four Grammys, and a Tony.

His musical genius was discovered early. He was the youngest student (age seven) to be admitted to the Julliard School of Music.

Mr. Hamlisch, who was 68, died after a brief illness.

Purple Rose Theatre: On Golden Pond

Sat, 07/28/2012 - 5:24pm by annevm

If you're looking for a satisfying summer theatrical experience, consider that Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea is showing On Golden Pond through Sept. 1. The play by Ernest Thompson spotlights the Thayer family at their summer home on Golden Pond, where they are moved to renew their bonds of love and to overcome long standing generational divisions. The production is directed by Michelle Mountain. Ticket information is here.

AADL Talks to Delia Ephron

Wed, 06/13/2012 - 11:20am by muffy

If you missed Delia Ephron's program here at the AADL on a recent sunny Sunday afternoon, here is a chance to meet her as she sat down with us before the program for a lively discussion.

Her parents Henry and Phoebe Ephron were both Hollywood screenwriters. We asked her about growing up in Beverly Hills in the shadow of the film industry, and how her parents might have influenced her as a writer. She also talked about coming East for college, living in the Village and getting published.

We asked how she came up with the topic for her first published work (under the name Delia Ephron) How to Eat Like a Child and Other Lessons in Not Being a Grown-up? and how different it is writing teen and adult fiction.

Then we went on to the very important topic of wardrobe (not fashion but wardrobe!)

Her play Love, Loss and What I Wore which she co-wrote with sister Nora, based on a book by Ilene Beckerman is about women's relationships and wardrobes. The off-Broadway production won several very important awards. Speaking of jeans, she shared the secrets of her favorite brand, and when we posed the Desert Island question - she was happy to comply.

Don't miss our conversation with Delia. It was open, warm and full of humor. And if you haven't read her latest novel, out this spring The Lion is In ,like the author, it is a real treat.

What's Happening in Ann Arbor This Summer?

Sun, 06/10/2012 - 12:39pm by Caser

If you've lived in Ann Arbor for at least one summer, then you're probably aware of the annual Summer Festival that starts on Friday, June 15, as well as the Art Fair that starts July 18. Additionally, Ann Arbor is host to dozens of other festivals and events throughout the summer, including the stacked lineup of events at the AADL. Here are some other highlights around Ann Arbor.

Shakespeare in the Arb is presented by the U-M Residential College and Matthaei-Nichols, performing an outdoor production of Shakespeare's comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor that moves through various settings in the Arb. Show dates: June 10, 14, 15, 16, 17; June 21, 22, 23, 24.

At Minifest, the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival presents concerts featuring internationally known artists and new chamber ensembles at the Kerrytown Concert House. Concert dates: June 15, 22, 24, 30.

The Rolling Sculpture Car Show features more than 400 antique, classic, and concept cars on display downtown for one day only, July 13, 2012.

Join the fun on Huron River Day, with river exhibits, discounted canoe and kayak rentals, 1-mile run, a 5K walk and run, live music, food vendors, and a children's activity tent on July 15, 2012.

One more gem, the Riverfolk Jam Camp takes place in Manchester from August 1-3, but its finale is in Ann Arbor, at The Ark on August 4.

Music Expert Richard LeSueur Discusses Puccini's Famous Opera "La Bohème"

Sun, 06/03/2012 - 2:01pm by hillary dorwart

Sunday June 10, 2012: 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm -- Downtown Library: aadlfreespace

Richard LeSueur, opera lover extraordinaire, will discuss the reasons that Puccini's La Bohème is one of the world's most popular operas. Listen to recordings of performance highlights and learn more about this epic love story.

This event is held in conjunction with Arbor Opera Theater's production of La Bohème at Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre, June 14-17

The Science Behind The Magic: A Doctor And Director Discuss 3D

Sat, 06/02/2012 - 12:36pm by hillary dorwart

Saturday June 2, 2012: 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Have you ever gone to the theater and watched a movie in 3D? Ever wonder how 3D actually works in your eyes or on the screen? This fun, informative lecture reveals the science behind 3D big screen magic.

Optometrist Dr. Jon Wieringa (Bennett Optometry) and filmmaker Jacob Mendel (a recent UM graduate with a 3D technology focus) present an afternoon of 3D zaniness with the hard science to prove it. 3D glasses will be provided!

This event is co-sponsored by the Michigan Theater as part of the Cinetopia International Film Festival